Graham Catt, AuSAE President

Graham Catt is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Veterinary Association, the national professional association for veterinarians with over 8500 members. In seven years with the AVA, Graham has led change and development across all aspects of the association, and significant growth in membership, revenues, professionalism and influence. Graham has over 15 years’ experience as a senior executive, and past roles include State Manager, NSW & ACT, for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Managing Director of a communications agency, and Executive Officer (NSW) of the national association for disability service providers. Graham represents the veterinary profession in a range of industry and government forums, is an active participant in business networks, and regularly speaks on issues affecting associations and the not for profit sector. Tertiary qualifications include a BA in English and Drama, Masters in English Literature, a post graduate diploma in business from UTS, and an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Graham can be contacted on ceo@ava.com.au

Diana De Hulsters, WA & SA Representative

Diana De Hulsters is Partnerships Manager with Asthma Foundation SA, leading the fundraising and marketing team. Diana has over two decades of international sales and marketing experience in associations and the tourism industry. 

She holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Management and is a Graduate of AICD Company Director’s Course. She is a Director of the Northern Suburbs Housing Community and on AICD SA’s Tomorrow’s Director Committee. 

Diana has mentored young entrepreneurs and is a past Partnerships Manager of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce SA, Simulation Australasia, The Royal Institution of Australia and Pro Bono Australia.

Liga Hegner, NSW/ACT Representative 

Liga Hegner is a highly professional and experienced corporate leader with a special interest in the role of neuroscience in coaching and mentoring and its application in the successful leadership model with a focus on transformational leadership. Liga has over 20 years’ experience across the corporate, academic and volunteer sectors in the life science, diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries. As a senior leader at ARCS, Liga provides strategic input to the operational and logistical aspects of the business, is responsible for strategic partnership management and fosters a motivational team culture for members, volunteers and staff alike. Liga is passionate about empowering the game changing emerging leader of the current generation and believes in the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence to create a selfaware, collaborative and empathetic workplace where individuals are empowered to challenge the status quo, create change and think differently and creatively. As a leadership and emotional intelligence coach, she works with clients through enabling change, empowerment and creative thinking.

Glen Harriss, QLD/NT Representative 

Glen Harriss is Queensland Manager of Sports Medicine Australia, the peak national multi-disciplinary member organisation that provides leadership in the area of sports medicine, and the healthy performance and participation of Australians in physical activity and sport. Glen is a passionate ‘for purpose’ professional having experience fundraising for medical research and association management supporting families who are faced with a medical diagnosis of a chronic disease. Glen has previously sat on Boards and Committees with his children’s school and football club. Glen has over 15 years experience in people leadership and over 20 years experience in relationship management roles in a variety of organisations and industries.

Glen holds a Bachelor of Business Degree (Human Resource Management) from Central Queensland University.

Glen can be contacted on  Glen.Harriss@sma.org.au